WHAT IS Advent? Advent is the period preceding Christmas Day that begins the nearest Sunday to November 30 and covers four Sundays. Because the day it begins changes from year to year, so does the length of each advent season. Advent 2019 begins on December 1 and ends December 24th. Advent is a time of preparing, sharing, and reflecting that leads up to celebrating the birth of Jesus our Lord. Christian families often light candles on advent wreaths, share faith stories, and find quiet moments to reflect on what the birth of Jesus really means. Each Sunday at worship services an advent candle is lighted, and passages of scripture are shared about hope, love, joy and peace. Usually, the Christmas eve and Christmas day candles are different colors from the rest of the candles. Children often make ornaments representing symbols of Christianity, like doves, angels and stars. Come to the manger with us this advent. Come where the ordinary becomes special and wonder is awesome. Come and receive the blessing of Advent… Jesus, God’s only begotten son. AN ADVENT MESSAGE FROM REV. MARLA C. HAWKINS Our Advent focus this year is on the manger where Jesus was placed at his birth. Often times we see symbols but miss the message that they bring. The manger though a simple feeding device, holds significant meanings worth our consideration. Perhaps coming to the manger means considering a lowly place where seemingly nothing significant happens. Also, It could mean to come to an unlikely place to receive a miracle. None the less, This is a time to meet Jesus at the manger, see the angels proclaim the everlasting miracle and be in the presence of the prince of peace. These prayers, meditations, devotions and reflections are designed to encourage new discoveries from the messages that emanate from the manger where baby Jesus laid. Let this advent publication be a catalyst to spending quality time with family, becoming revitalized after a long day at work, channeling the boundless energy of children and just relaxing in the assurance of God’s love. Whatever your activity of choice, just come to the manger and receive the everlasting blessings of hope, joy, peace and love that only Jesus brings. Come to the manger, now! Because He Came, Rev. Marla C. Hawkins ASSISTANT TO THE PASTOR FOR CHILDREN ADVENT Symbols MANGER: a makeshift crib for the baby Jesus associated with the nativity scene where Mary and Joseph are forced, out of necessity, to stay in a room for animals instead of a guest room. CIRCLES: the circle represents many things in life. However, the circle during this season represents the eternal, the never ending. Jesus came into the world that we might have eternal life. GIFTS: why do we give gifts during this season? A gift is a voluntary expression of love that expects nothing in return. Just as the “magi” brought gifts to Jesus to show their love for him, we give gifts to spread love to one another. ANGELS: angel means messenger. An angel is a messenger of God to his people. Therefore, the message of the angels is important and allows us to understand the whole experience of the Christmas season. THE INFANT JESUS: The purpose of advent is to celebrate and seek to understand the true meaning of Jesus’ birth. As Jesus came in an unexpected way, so must we open our hearts to God’s unexpected events in our lives. A LETTER FROM “MANGER” Greetings to all this advent season, Let me introduce myself. My name is “Manger.” I am a long open box of either stone or wood where cattle, horses and other animals feed. I don’t need a special place to be, I fit wherever there is a corner and I’m usually a welcomed sight since hunger is what I satisfy. The only thing that puzzles me is that those who are fed by me rarely see me, they see only my contents. But something happened that changed how I was seen and I never could have imagined the events that took place. One night a couple came to the inn where I live. It seemed that they had been all over town seeking lodging with no success. The innkeeper where I live told them that the only room he had was in the stable. Since the woman’s time to give birth had come, they accepted the offer. I must admit, I saw it as a bit of an intrusion. Never before had a couple used the stable as a lodging place and I did not know how the livestock would react. However, when they came in not one of us stirred and a peaceful quiet came over all. Soon after the couple came in, the baby was born and a bright light seemed to shine through the roof, as if to signal the coming of something special. All the animals, who would usually be asleep during this time remained wide awake with eyes glued on the precious baby that had been wrapped and placed inside of me. I must tell you that holding a baby was a strange experience for me. I wondered if the baby would be comfortable lying inside of my hard structure. To my surprise, the baby did not even whimper and a certain joy filled my very being. Suddenly my function in life changed…I beheld the most precious gift to the world, baby Jesus. I was changed from a crude feeding trough to a crib for a precious baby. never did I think that I would be so honored. From that day to this day, life has never been the same and though my contents may change, the miracle baby Jesus gave me is with me forever. Come visit me this Advent. I don’t know what miracle you will receive but I know there is a miracle with your name on it from the baby Jesus. With love, “Manger” What can I give him? Poor as I am? ADVENT If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a wise man PRAYERS & I would do my part; Yet what I can I give him---- POEMS I will give my heart. Christina Rosette Generous God, You have come to us in Jesus, the light of the world. As this food and drink give us refreshment, Lord Jesus, Strengthen us by your spirit, may our words of peace and acts of That as your sons and daughters justice reflect your presence. Amen We share your light with all the world. Anonymous Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Anonymous I do not fear---- The Lord is near Through this dark night Christ is born for us! O come, let us adore him! As in the light. Lord Jesus, come to us now and bless this food and drink And while I sleep So that we may be strengthened to serve you Safe watch will keep. And speak your love in all we do. I do not fear---- Amen Jesus is here. Anonymous Here is the stable Where Jesus was born And was laid in the manger The first Christmas morn. And Mary and Joseph And cattle and sheep Smiled down on the baby And watched him, asleep. Anonymous HOW TO USE THIS BOOK This small book is filled with many treasures that will lead the household of faith through advent into Christmas. It can be used many different ways depending on your daily schedule and particular needs. Use whatever works well in your home. Enhance the suggestions in this book with family favorites to include customs, prayers, and songs you cherish. Some people may only want to use this book as a primary source of scripture reading and reflection. To that end meditations are provided. For meditation use, you will find prayers and poems along with special questions to ponder. The advent season is one of the few times in the year when many people do not hesitate to sing carols and Christmas songs with friends and family. Feel free to choose a favorite carol as a way of introducing a time of reflection and meditation with family members. The advent season also brings much activity to other households. Relatives and friends gather at different households to enjoy special meals, favorite games and movies. If this is true of your household, some of the prayers included might be just the touch your celebration needs. Since “Manger” has a daily conversation with you, please take the opportunity to write your personal reflections each day. Should the opportunity present itself, share a reflection with a friend or family member. Lastly, try a recipe found in this book, invite family members to assist with preparation or have a taste testing party and share your newly found treat. As you use this book, may you experience God in all his presence throughout advent and Christmas day. Daily Conversations with “Manger” DAY 1 MEDITATION: ISAIAH 64:1-9 “Since my encounter with baby Jesus I have come to know that I hold wonder and satisfaction deep inside me. Prior to meeting Jesus, I had no reason to feel surprise mingled with admiration. Everything seemed humdrum and it seemed there was no such thing as the unexpected. Have you ever felt this way before ?” Write down your thoughts: _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ DAY 2 MEDITATION: JEREMIAH 29:11 “The baby Jesus somehow called me to analyze my lack of self-expectations. I didn’t realize that I housed the sacred. Little did I know that the Jesus in me called me out of the ordinary, just by living inside me.” Any connections to these feelings ? Write them down.